YMCA OF GREATER NASHUA RECEIVES $5,000 DONATION FROM WAL-MART Funding will help boost their STRIVE® Youth Fitness Center
The Wal-Mart Foundation made a $5,000 donation today to the YMCA of Greater Nashua, a private, not-for-profit organization supporting the wellness and childcare needs of this local community for more than 120 years. The check presentation was held at the organization's Nashua location. Wal-Mart Market Manager Leslie Thompson presented the check to Michael LaChance, YMCA CEO. Nearby Amherst Store Manager Tony Tiner also attended. Senator Joseph Foster was happy to participate as well, showing his support for the community involvement.
The YMCA of Greater Nashua aims to be recognized by its members and the community as a leader and a resource promoting the healthy development of children, families, and community; aims to reduce obesity and lack of activity among youth, teens, and adults, provide opportunities for youth and help them avoid at-risk behaviors, and fulfill needs for families and aging adults. The YMCA has branches in downtown Nashua, south Merrimack and a summer camp also in Merrimack to provide families in surrounding towns an opportunity to develop a healthier lifestyle.
Wal-Mart's donation will go directly to the Activate Greater Nashua initiative - specifically growing the STRIVE® Youth Fitness Center which was created for the Nashua community to meet the growing problem of childhood obesity. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that obesity - especially when coupled with its prominent role as a risk factor for such major chronic diseases as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma and depression - will soon replace smoking as the major cause of preventable death in the United States, with direct economic costs of roughly $120 billion annually.
The center is available for youth ages 8 - 13 and provides traditional fitness equipment as well as Dance Dance Revolution - an interactive game that gets the blood flowing. The center opened in the summer of 2007 and over 120 children are using the center regularly to improve their overall health and wellness. Funding from the Wal-Mart Foundation will enable the YMCA of Greater Nashua to have the STRIVE® Youth Fitness Center open every Saturday and other selected times (school vacation weeks, summer, etc) as well as perform outreach to alert more community members about the opportunities available at the STRIVE® Center for local youth to improve their overall wellness and as a preventive to chronic diseases.
Mike LaChance, CEO for the YMCA of Greater Nashua stated, "The Wal-Mart Foundation support provides an opportunity for more children, living in Nashua, to be active and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Currently one-third of children living in New Hampshire are overweight or obese and this situation creates many long term chronic diseases which can be prevented. Thanks to this grant, our YMCA can have an impact on these children."
Wal-Mart believes in a philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. In 2006, Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club gave $1,376,182 in cash and in-kind donations to local causes and organizations in the communities they serve in the State of New Hampshire. Through additional funds raised through stores and Clubs throughout the state, Wal-Mart contributed and raised a grand total of $2,227,989 as a result of its presence in New Hampshire.
ABOUT WAL-MART STORES, INC.
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.
ABOUT THE YMCA of GREATER NASHUA The YMCA of Greater Nashua is a not-for-profit charitable organization. It has been serving the Greater Nashua area from branches in Merrimack and Nashua for over 120 years. The YMCA's mission is to instill values and provide opportunities for lifelong personal growth and the development of a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. It is all inclusive involving families, adults, seniors, teens, and youth. The YMCA provides financial assistance to support local individuals and families that cannot afford the Y's services and programs. The YMCA deliberately remains flexible so it can offer programs that are in the community's best interest; programs with specific objectives for personal and family growth. Some of these include: family and teen nights, special programming for challenged individuals, kindergarten, child care, day camping, teen adventure and leadership programs, specialized senior health and fitness options, first aid & CPR classes, swimming lessons and so much more. For more information about getting your child involved with the STRIVE® Youth Fitness Center or other YMCA programs, call 603-882-2011.
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